Human rights groups and the National Integrity Alliance (NIA) have condemned the Council of Governors' (CoG) boycott of Senate oversight committees, warning it undermines accountability and the rule of law in Kenya. The boycott stems from governors' claims of extortion and harassment by some senators, leading the CoG to suspend appearances before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).

• A joint statement issued on February 16, 2026, by civil society groups, including Transparency International Kenya and Amnesty International Kenya, criticized the boycott.
• The groups cited Articles 96 and 125 of the Constitution, which empower the Senate to oversee county revenue and summon state officers.
• They urged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate allegations of bribery and misconduct against senators, and called for the prosecution of corruption-related offenses.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has expressed strong opposition to proposals to place Nairobi County under a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), warning it would lead to significant financial and developmental crises. He drew parallels to the period under the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), which he claims left the county with substantial debt.

• Sakaja cited the NMS era (2020-2022) as a cautionary tale, during which it accumulated Ksh16 billion in pending bills.
• The NMS was established following a Deed of Transfer of Functions signed between then-Governor Mike Sonko and President Uhuru Kenyatta, due to a leadership crisis and corruption allegations at City Hall.
• Governor Sakaja, who has led the city for three years, denied reports of surrendering county functions to the national government, stating that any such transfer would be from the national government to the county.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has defended the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), affirming Parliament’s commitment to protecting it as a vital public resource. Speaking at Pate Girls Secondary School, Wetang’ula stated the fund complements rather than duplicates the work of county governments.

• Wetang’ula emphasized that NG-CDF empowers local communities by allowing them to determine and prioritize projects, especially in education and infrastructure.
• The Speaker highlighted the fund’s impact, such as supporting schools like Pate Girls Secondary School through classroom construction and bursaries.
• He reiterated Parliament’s role in oversight to ensure public funds are used transparently and efficiently for citizens’ benefit.